*These products were received complimentary from Columbia Skincare for review. All views are honest and absolutely my own.*

My skin has been acting UP lately. I’m thinking it’s a combination of stress, not drinking my usual amount of water and the harsh Winter weather. Either way, I could not have been any happier to receive a new product brand in the mail. Columbia SkinCare provided 2 full-sized samples of its Probiotics Complex and Concentrate. I used both products for 3 weeks straight in order to be able to provide the most comprehensive review.

The word “probiotics” intrigued me greatly.

Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are good for your health, especially your digestive system. We usually think of bacteria as something that causes diseases. But your body is full of bacteria, both good and bad. Probiotics are often called “good” or “helpful” bacteria because they help keep your gut healthy. Probiotics are naturally found in your body. You can also find them in some foods and supplements. (via WebMD)

PRODUCT DETAILS AND CLAIMS

Columbia SkinCare Probiotics Complex and Concentrate

Columbia Skincare proudly introduces Probiotic Concentrate and Probiotic Complex, the first topically applied creams that harness the wellness benefits of probiotics specifically for skincare. Probiotics, also known as “good bacteria”, found in yogurt and other ingestibles, have been keeping people healthier longer for years. But now, scientists and researchers have developed a type of probiotic specifically for topical usage that helps promote the health and wellness of the body’s largest organ – the skin.

These topical-specific probiotics are at the forefront of skincare technology and are about to change the paradigm for skincare. Clinically proven effective and safe, these products enhance and fortify the skin’s ability to do what it does naturally: renew and rejuvenate itself. The result is healthy skin. And guess what? Healthy skin is beautiful skin. Probiotic Concentrate and Complex don’t work like cosmetics. They neither hide nor cover-up anything. Rather, they nourish and renew and beautiful skin is the result. If you think about it, it makes perfect sense. And it’s consistent with everything that nature offers us. Healthy everything is much more beautiful than unhealthy anything.

Probiotic Complex: This is the world’s first probiotic formulation created specifically for topical use. Gorgeous and silky, its formulation effectively enhances the most important biological feature in aging skin: it’s ability to renew itself.

Probiotic Concentrate: Enjoy all of the skin rejuvenating efficacy of our Probiotic Complex in a concentrated form. This contains a unique blend of probiotics, plant stem cells and peptides which intensify and enhance the skin’s renewal process.

THE BRANDING + PACKAGING

Before we begin, can we please take a moment to admire the beautiful branding and packaging? With any product, it’s my absolute favorite part of any experience. Simplicity is key, and Columbia Skincare nailed it. The glass containers are super heavy and fancy. And the concentrate comes with a dropper, which I loved!

THE PROBIOTIC COMPLEX

The two products work together, but out of the two, the probiotic complex felt amazing to the under-eye area of my skin. Given my history with acute acne and minor breakouts, I was a bit reluctant to try over my entire face as the product was very thick and heavy. My initial thought was…clogged pores! I did try it all over the face before bedtime, and my skin felt very moisturized, yet slightly greasy afterwards. The oily feeling lasted for about 45-minutes, and then it appeared that my skin had soaked in all the moisture. The smell reminded me a lot of cocoa butter for some reason – it was a very light, almost non-existent fragrance. I did, however, find a great use for the complex under my eyes and on my neck area. For the entire face, I mixed a small amount of the complex in with the probiotic concentrate, and it was the perfect compromise for my specific skin type.

THE PROBIOTIC CONCENTRATE

Going onto the skin, the probiotic concentrate literally felt like silk, and extremely lightweight. But my skin literally soaked this stuff up! Using it alone, made my skin feel not quite moisturized enough, which is why using it in conjunction with the complex worked best for me. It is also important to note that I did not wear any foundation throughout the trial.

OVERALL THOUGHTS

After using the products for 3 weeks, I feel pretty good about them. My skin was not that great to begin with when I first started the regimen, but by the end of the 3rd week, it had cleared up significantly due to some dietary changes. I did have a few pimples appear over the course – perhaps because of my increased retinol use, but as previously stated, it got better over time.

Columbia SkinCare probiotics promote the natural cleansing of impurities in the cellular system, including residual impurities from other medications and treatmentsincluding retinoids.

These products are sitting pretty in my beauty arsenal, mainly to use under my under-eye area and neck. My skin is very tricky, so when using it all over the face, I mix both products together to get my best results. There are a lot of product in these containers, and a little bit goes a long way.

Want to give it a try?

Purchase either probiotic product and receive a FREE moisturizing cream, a $38 value! Use code: ProbioticGift at checkout.

Valerie Robinson is an award-winning writer and photographer. Based in the Washington, DC area, this HBCU alumni is a wife and mother of three who strives and encourages others to be the best versions of themselves.